Newyork Hotels

Copenhagen in Denmark is one of Europe’s oldest capitals and home to the nation’s parliament, government, and monarchy. It is a city suited for tourists and easy to explore. It is the nation’s largest city with a population of over 1 million. It is also the cultural center for the country featuring art, music, theater and design. It is also known as a 24 hour party city for those looking for a swinging time.

The city can be cold in the winter so the most popular times to visit are in the summer months. Accommodations range from youth hostels and budget accommodation to exclusive five star hotels. For visitors there are many theaters, museums, art galleries and musical entertainment choices which will make your stay in the royal city memorable.

Copenhagen City Hall Square in the center of the city can hold over 50.000 people for events. At one side of the square is the world famous Tivoli Gardens which features an amusement park which was established in 1843. It is worth a stroll around to check out the old world village like atmosphere featuring rides and restaurants. On the other side of the City Hall Square is the pedestrian shopping street Str

Share This

The Parador of Jarandilla De La Vera is a place distinct in the history of Spain. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V - the most powerful man in the world during his reign - lived here in the Parador building for a few months before retiring to live out his remaining time in the Monastery at Yuste.

He chose this spot for it’s tranquility and natural beauty. The area, on the southern slope of the Gredos mountains, is abundant with streams, waterfalls, and oak woods - producing a scenery of rare beauty. The soil is rich and fertile. There are gardens, apple and pear orchards everywhere. It has been called a paradise, and “The best place for repose, and for the pleasures of mind and body.”

The 4-star Parador of Jarandilla de la Vera is a fortified palace built in the 15th century. It was constructed over the ruins of a fortress that had been built and inhabited by the Knights Templar. It has all that a castle should have; a draw-bridge, machicolations, embrasures, and robust corner towers. Parador Jarandilla is in an Italian Renaissance style however, with an interior sweetness and graciousness missing in the earlier true fortress style castles.

There is a fine dining room with views out to the open cloister (you can dine al fresco during the warmer months). Wooden ceilings and a baronial fireplace in the reception area give this place an altogether ‘noble’ feel.

Interesting excursions from Parador Jarandilla into the city:

- See the 15th century Church on the main plaza.

- The area immediately surrounding the town is very good for hiking - several different marked trails lead along rushing streams to waterfalls and miniature gorges.

Interesting day trips include:

- Explore over to the Jerte valley - there are a couple of scenic (if not harrowing!) roads that cross over, or you can drive around through Placensia. If you are here in spring, the valley is blanketed in white - with thousands of cherry trees in bloom.

- Placensia is a typical Extremaduran town with a wonderful main plaza. Sit down at one of the many outdoor tables and wait and watch the giant elf (?) in the main clock tower strike the bell to mark each half hour. A “cuckoo clock” on the grandest of scales! There is a lively Tuesday market held here in the plaza - as it has been continuously since the 12th century!

Visiting the Parador of Jarandilla De La Vera is an experience long cherished by those who have gone out of their way to get to this nearly forgotten backwater of Spain.

SpainParador.com makes it easy for you to plan and arrange your next trip to Spain. This time stay in palaces, castles, and other places of great historical interest and rare beauty - the wonderful Paradors of Spain. www.SpainParador.com

Share This

Lisbon is known as the major artery of Portugal’s transportation system. A network of railways and highways converge at Lisbon. Public transportation within the city entails electric trams, trains, buses, and curiously enough, an entire system of elavadors (cable-operated trams). Most notably, the Elavador de Santa Justa made of cast iron that vertically rises up to 148 feet.

The city is shaped into the corrugated sides of seven hills. The lowest point in Lisbon is the waterfront area where the Alfama district can be found. This district, one of the few portions of the city that endured an earthquake in 1755, espouses winding narrow streets and fascinating medieval structures. Another district, Baixa, had to be rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, but still represents the finest of 18th-century architecture and ambiance. Similarly, the hilly Bairro Alto district with its lush gardens and quaint neighborhoods, lavish in a 17th -century setting.

Lisbon’s population is around 600,000 in the city itself. Two million people live in the area around Lisbon, including both sides of the Tejo River. The area enjoys short winters and long summers with the maximum temperature said to not be over 84 degrees Fahrenheit. December through March is the rainy season when mostly drizzle or light showers take place.

Lisbon and its surrounding area provide visitors with a diverse array of encounters. There are many sandy beaches available in the area. The city’s abundant street cafes delight patrons with local fare. Neighboring fishing villages give a realistic view of life in a working seaport. Of course, the city provides modern shopping and offers a multitude of cultural activities. However, the dense vegetation that harbors mystical royal palaces in the area north of Lisbon cannot be missed.

The main maritime entrance into the city is the Praca do Comercio. It was built over the ruins of a 400-year-old palace. Other curious historical points of interest around the city include Saint George Castle, the Monastery of Jeronimos, and the Tower of Belem.

Saint George Castle is located on the highest hill in Lisbon. It was an ancient citadel that the Moors conquered in 1147. The castle actually dates back to the 5th century, A.D. Vistas from the castle are breathtaking. Locals as well as tourists enjoy the tranquility and spectacular views of the city and the riverbank area.

The Monastery of Jeronimos was built in 1498 as a monument to the15th century Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama. Many a sailor would pray in its chapel before heading out to sea. The monastery is adorned with stone statues of sea monsters, various maritime symbols, and brilliantly colored tiles.

The Tower of Belem, built in 1521, rises above a series of forts that once protected the riverbank area. Presently, two bridges span the Tejo River. The 25th of April Bridge built in 1966 and the Vasco de Gama Bridge built in 1998. Modern day Lisboetas, people of Lisbon, are not worried about fortifying their city instead mobility is the greater need.

As it emerges as a major city in the European Union, Lisbon continues to celebrate its extensive past and optimistically anticipates its destiny to come.

Stan Smith writes for Four Corners Hotels http://www.fourcornershotels.com/index.php/PT–Lisbon which offers hotels in cities around the world including hotels located in Lisbon.

Share This